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SNMG 1 ships make port call in Klaipeda, Lithuania

Two ships assigned to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 made a port call in the Lithuanian Port of Klaipeda.

Spanish frigate ESPS Alvaro de Bazan and Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke came alongside May 16 and will stay until May 18.

The two ships have recently completed participation in the Lithuanian-hosted exercise Baltic Fortress along with 12 other ships from ten nations.

During the visit SNMG1 Commander Admiral Jose Enrique Delgado and commanding officers of the ships will meet with the mayor of Klaipėda and Commander of the Lithuanian Navy. Also, tribute will be paid to the soldiers of the United Kingdom killed during World War I and buried in Vitė Cemetery.

Lithuanian soldiers will be able to tour the SNMG1 ships, and the general public will be invited to open decks days on May 17.

NATO operates four standing maritime groups. Two of them, SNMG1 and SNMG2, comprise large surface battle ships, such as frigates and destroyers. The other two, SNMCMG1 and SNMCMG2, comprise mine countermeasures vessels. The digits in the names of the groups means that they operate in the Northern European waters (1) or the Southern European waters (2).